Maggots and moths in seed

[worriedcockatielowner]

The first time I found a maggot was the time we bought a new cage, birdie was climbin around and one fell down ( I am not sure if it was from the cage or the bird. Can maggots hurt birds? ) It was very worrying. But since it was only one, I didn't look too much into it. After a few weeks, I noticed that moths are getting more and more common in the apartment. Then later, I saw some weird clumps of seed shells on my bird's seeds. I took the bird seed, and took away all the clumps. That's when I noticed the clumps were moving! There was maggots!!!

So, I immediately threw the seed out, and cleaned his cage throughly. I thought that was it. But I forgot about the bird seed that we had gotten her with. I remembered that when I saw maggots on the wall! The ***king wall!!! I also threw that seed out. Thank god the millets were good.

So yes, I am never storing big amounts if seed in the house again. The bird cage and seeds are in my room and I am terribly disgusted to the point of wanting the sleep in the living room. So I guess my question is, can maggots hurt birds? Will maggots be persistent in staying? And any ways that I can get rid if them -other than freezing-? Has any other owners faced this issue as well? How the ***k did the maggots get on the walls????

 

[Scott]

Unfortunately insect larvae are often present in bird seed mixes. I don't believe they usually pose a health risk to parrots. If you are certain they are maggots, might be another issue as they are common housefly larvae. Flies transport feces and other harmful agents. I no longer use seeds but cannot recall seeing maggots.

Many folks purchase seed mixes in quantities small enough to freeze. That should kill larva and present a "clean" source once defrosted and used over several days/weeks.

 

[Noahs_Birds]

Sounds like Coddling Moth to me, the larvae feed in the seed and usually bind some of the seeds with silk to make a cocoon for themselves. If you put some bay leaves in a jar with holes in it they hate the smell and usually gets rid of them all

 

[Flboy]

Not fun, but totally harmless! If the seed is safe, then there’s bugs in it! Put everything in the house in ziplock bags!- flour, pasta, cookies!
Once, making a family sized beef stew, I used flour to thicken it. I kept the flour in a cardboard shaker for ease of dispensing. As it thickened, I realized I screwed up and put way too much ground pepper-I thought! We ate, we enjoyed!
A couple days later, wifey brings me the flour container, wanting to know what was all this fine hair!

 

[noodles123]

Yeah, they are likely moth larvae- not maggots. A tell-tale sign is if you ever see cob-like material in the bag, or if both moths and worms appear to be coming from the same place. Some people freeze their bird EDIT- *insert seed after bird!* (don't freeze your bird!! hahah That could have been a bad typo ha) to prevent moths from hatching etc. Now, if there was rotting fruit or something else, it COULD be maggots, but I doubt it.


*Knock on wood* non of Noodles food has had this problem, but it led to a crazy problem at my childhood home due to the parakeet's food. I'd try your best to kill all of them and seal any grains rightly-- cereal, pasta, flour, sugar etc...anything should be in a sealed bag or tupperware to keep them from infesting everything.

 

[SailBoat]

Freezer!!! Keep all dry foods in the Freezer.
When you buy dry foods, break it down into one week ziplock bags and keep it in the Freezer until ready to use!

 

[djonair]

The first time I found a maggot was the time we bought a new cage, birdie was climbin around and one fell down ( I am not sure if it was from the cage or the bird. Can maggots hurt birds? ) It was very worrying. But since it was only one, I didn't look too much into it. After a few weeks, I noticed that moths are getting more and more common in the apartment. Then later, I saw some weird clumps of seed shells on my bird's seeds. I took the bird seed, and took away all the clumps. That's when I noticed the clumps were moving! There was maggots!!!

So, I immediately threw the seed out, and cleaned his cage throughly. I thought that was it. But I forgot about the bird seed that we had gotten her with. I remembered that when I saw maggots on the wall! The ***king wall!!! I also threw that seed out. Thank god the millets were good.

So yes, I am never storing big amounts if seed in the house again. The bird cage and seeds are in my room and I am terribly disgusted to the point of wanting the sleep in the living room. So I guess my question is, can maggots hurt birds? Will maggots be persistent in staying? And any ways that I can get rid if them -other than freezing-? Has any other owners faced this issue as well? How the ***k did the maggots get on the walls????

I had the same problem but don't now. there is a container you can get at any pet store, (pet Smart is where I got mine) Its a little pricey but worth it. Seed is expensive. Bugs and flies can smell the seed, thats why you have them. This container keeps the smell in. I've never had a proble since, Hope that helps.